For the Geek in all of us

Interview with Geri Krotow, Author of Navy Orders

Please give Geri Krotow a warm welcome! She’s visiting the virtual offices to chat about her latest release Navy Orders. This is a Harlequin published under their Super Romance imprint.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Describe yourself in 140 characters or less.

[Geri Krotow ] I’m a romance novelist who loves to intertwine historical and contemporary plots whenever I can, and throw in a dead body as needed.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Can you tell us a little about Navy Orders?

[Geri Krotow ] Ro and Miles met in the first Whidbey Island book, Navy Rules. Ro is a naval intelligence officer who’s had her heart broken and focuses entirely on her career to keep her self-confidence. Miles is a wounded vet (a leg amputee) but you’d never know it by his hard-charging enthusiasm for life. Miles has tried to date Ro with no success until the suspicious death of a sailor brings them together in an investigation that proves dangerous for both of them.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] How did you come up with the concept and the characters for the story?

[Geri Krotow ] My editor suggested I come up with a Navy series, given my background as both an active-duty officer and Navy wife. Navy Rules was the first book, where Miles and Ro initially showed up in my writing. As I continued to write that first novel, Ro and Miles stayed with me, and I knew they needed their own story. I like to write about military heroes and heroines who go on to do great things no matter their war-time injuries.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three words best describe Ro?

[Geri Krotow ] Dynamic, intelligent, sexy.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If Miles had a theme song, what would it be?

[Geri Krotow ] A/C D/C Back in Black

[Manga Maniac Cafe] Name one thing Ro is never without.

[Geri Krotow ] Her running shoes–she loves to work out, tied with her knitting needles–she knits chemo caps for charity (and that’s why there’s a free knitting pattern in the end of the book, donated by Delaware Head Huggers).

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three things will you never find in Mile’s bedroom?

[Geri Krotow ] A television, computer or flowers. He’s all the entertainment you need!

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What is Ro’s greatest regret?

[Geri Krotow ] Not breaking up with her ex sooner.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What are your greatest creative influences?

[Geri Krotow ] Great stories told by good writers–on the page or screen, inspiring art (I miss living in Europe for this reason, art is everywhere there), other artists that I am blessed to know. I have to add music in here–whether it’s the Goo Goo Dolls or Tchaikovsky, music takes my imagination to places like no other medium.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three things do you need in order to write?

[Geri Krotow ] 1. Solitude, be it in my office, on my patio, or in a coffee shop where no one knows me. 2. A clear mind–doing morning pages as recommended by Julia Cameron takes care of this. 3. Belief in my story. 4. Cappuccino is nice, too.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] What is the last book that you read that knocked your socks off?

[Geri Krotow ] A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness.

[Manga Maniac Cafe] If you had to pick one book that turned you on to reading, which would it be?

After a romantic betrayal, naval lieutenant commander Roanna Brandywine doesn’t trust anyone the way she used to. When a chance encounter brings chief warrant officer Miles Mikowski into her life, she’s intrigued. But Ro has spent so long focusing on her career, she resists the attraction.

Miles has had his own share of trauma, but it’s taught him that life is short and he has to go after what’s important to him. Then, unexpectedly, they’re ordered to investigate a sailor’s suicide. They must rely on each other as they discover that his death is not as straightforward as it seems. During their investigation, they acknowledge the chemistry between them, but the real question is whether there’s trust…and maybe even love.

About the author:

Geri Krotow is a U.S. Naval Academy Graduate and former Naval Intelligence Officer. She’s travelled and lived all over the globe, from Whidbey Island, Washington State, to Moscow, Russia. She has even seen the North Pole while on a mission she can’t talk about. An award-winning author, Geri is the author of the Whidbey Island Series for Harlequin Romance, highlighting the loves and lives of military families who live on an island in Puget Sound. Her July 2013 release, NAVY ORDERS, includes a free knitting pattern for a chemo or traumatic brain injury hat, donated by Delaware Head Huggers. Geri is thrilled to finally be settled in Central Pennsylvania, USA, after 13 moves in 26 years.

Thanks so much, Linda! Full disclosure: Linda is an amazing author in her own right, and we are part of the The Three Glindas along with Ann DeFee. It’s easier to stay motivated in this often tough career with dear friends!